Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: I was born in Memphis and moved around a lot growing up, but I’ll always think of Texas as where I’m from. I was very active in music in my youth, playing in various bands in various genres. I was actually playing honkytonks when I was 15! In my early 20’s I drifted away from music and songwriting when I got married and got into the 9-5 groove. In my late 40’s I suffered a catastrophic shoulder injury and wound up in physical therapy for the better part of a year. I discovered that the guitar was excellent physical therapy and began spending a lot of time with it. That lead me to rediscovering my passion for songwriting.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: I have very broad eclectic tastes and tend to listen to a broad catalog of artists that I’ve grown attached to over the years – John Prine, Michael Hurley, John Hartford, etc. But lately I’ve been listening to The Lumineers, Old Crow Medicine Show and wide variety of American artists.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: My greatest early influence was definitely the Beatles. They’re the ones that first turned me on to how powerful songwriting could be. Especially John and George. Later, I found my own songwriting voice to be more along the lines of John Prine. He’s far and away my greatest influence as a writer. Quite often when people hear my stuff for the first time, they’ll mention John Prine, so I guess it’s pretty evident.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Ladybug On The Moon’. Is there a story behind it?
A: “Ladybug On The Moon” had it’s genesis around the opening line about a clock in a mirror. That verse came pretty much fully formed. Then the image of the clock lead to the second line about counting hours. At that point it became evident that this tune was about perspective. I felt a need for an abstract image to kind of hang over the whole thing – sort of like the “listen the snow is falling” image Yoko Ono used. Something that makes you go, “Wait, what?”. The image of a ladybug on the moon just came out of the ether at that point.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: I’ll be continuing to release a series of singles with the thought of eventually compiling them into an album or EP.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: I would describe my sound as something close to Americana. I’m not big on labels but that seems to be how I’m generally thought. From the feedback I receive, I guess I would have to say lyrical content seems to be one of they key elements of my songwriting. It seems to be what resonates with some people.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: I hope someday my music will give me back as much fulfillment as the work I put into it, but right now I’m still in the building phase. I’ve started too late and too far to go. I’m not to a point where I can rest and take it in.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Starting is the hard part for me. I think it is for most. Getting the initial idea or thought is what seems to be most elusive for me. Once I get something, I tend to work to the advice I once heard from Jimmy Webb to write from and idea into a title. The idea and the title may both change completely in the process, but it helps to work in that general structure.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: The most difficult thing I’ve had to endure in my life has been the loss of loved ones. My path has been a little rough in that regard. Both of my parents died young. That’s had a profound impact on all aspects of my life. I’m not really cut out for that and I’ve had a lot of it. It wall all be alright in the end, but it’s made the way difficult. It may sound strange, but as I develop as an artist I find myself feeling closer to my mother who died nearly 40 years ago. She felt strongly that this was my path and I find myself thinking of her more and more as I move along.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: Like I said earlier I don’t feel I have time to count or rest on my laurels, but what really sticks with me is when someone I have high regard for likes some of my work. That goes a long way with me.
